TAMPA, MARCH 13, 2014 – Days after making a statement by defeating No. 27 Penn State, the No. 47 USF men’s tennis team will have a big stage to showcase their talents as they travel to Champaign, Ill. to take on No. 6 Illinois on Friday before taking on No. 42 Pepperdine on Saturday.

"We are really excited to play this weekend," said head coach Matt Hill. "Both teams are very tough but the guys are hungry and ready. We have been playing some high level tennis the past few weeks and are excited to battle."

USF has prepared itself all season to get better every day for moments like this. The Bulls began the season competing in the Illini Open as a benchmark playing Illinois and Florida in an open style format with several players coming away with key victories for USF.

The Bulls have already defeated four squads ranked ahead of them at the time of their match and come into the weekend riding a four-match winning streak. They stand at 9-3 overall on the season with all three losses coming against ranked foes.

Illinois is currently 9-4 on the year and are led by Jared Hiltzik, who is currently ranked No. 7 in singles. Farris Gosea and Tim Kopinski are also ranked in singles, standing at No. 17 and No. 42, respectively.

Pepperdine will enter the weekend 9-7 but have played a very challenging schedule with three of their losses coming at the ITA National Indoor Championships. The Waves have won two straight and are led by Alex Sarkissian, the No. 27 ranked player and David Sofaer who is ranked No. 115.

Action will get underway Friday at 12:00 p.m. at the Atkins Tennis Center versus Illinois. USF will square off with Pepperdine on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.